Fincantieri signs MoU with University of Adelaide

The Australian branch of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Adelaide to develop a collaborative program of education and research co-operation.

CETENA, a subsidiary company of Fincantieri, which undertakes research and consultancy programs in the naval and maritime fields will also be involved in the MoU.

Fincantieri is a bidder in the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 5000 Future Frigates program.

Under the agreement, the three organisations will work together to pursue academic and educational co-operation by establishing a program that will see the exchange of University of Adelaide undergraduates and post-graduate students, lecturers and professors, researchers and technical and administrative staff to Fincantieri and CETENA facilities in Italy.

Other collaboration will relate to research in complex technical and scientific fields of common interest; and the development of initiatives aimed at sharing lessons in governance and management. The MOU also includes a commitment to develop joint projects across the public and private sectors and to continue to search for further opportunities and areas for collaboration in the future.

The Director of Fincantieri Australia, Sean Costello said that the University of Adelaide is one of the country’s leading educational institutions and the move reinforces Fincantieri’s commitment to its Industry Plan to develop a continuous shipbuilding industry that will enable Australia to design and build its next generation of vessels.

“This partnership will allow Fincantieri to transfer our knowledge and technology to University of Adelaide students, academics and technical staff, equipping them with the right education and training capabilities as the Australian government’s naval shipbuilding plan enters a critical phase,” Fincantieri Australia director Sean Costello said.

The University of Adelaide’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship) Professor Noel Lindsay said the MOU allows the University to expand its research and academic capabilities in shipbuilding and defense at a crucial time for these industries in the city of Adelaide.

“We’re very excited about working with such an iconic global organisation such as Fincantieri and its subsidiary CETENA. Their clear commitment to innovation and development aligns perfectly with the University’s approach to building entrepreneurial capacity not just within our student cohort, but the community as a whole. We’re looking forward to developing some unique and interesting projects together.”